A paramount chief is saddened by the continued departure of Cook Islanders choosing to relocate to New Zealand and Australia since the start of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Takitumu chief Pa Marie Ariki says this exodus is due to the slowdown of the economy and the insecurity that so many Cook Islanders are feeling from this pandemic.

In a statement, Pa Ariki said: “I’m shocked at the prices people have to pay – for food, for power, for fuel, even for the simple things like a nu at the side of the road. I worry that our country is becoming a place where Cook Islanders, themselves, cannot afford to live anymore.”

Pa accepts a lot of the causes are outside our control. “Yes, I know about the Covid and all the problems with shipping, shortages of supply, and prices rising all round the world. I see what’s happened to petrol prices in New Zealand with the war in Ukraine”.

She hopes, like Government, that as Omicron passes and borders open, things will improve.

“I hope and pray that by the end of this year, we are on the way to rebuilding our economy and way of life.”

However, she wants the Government to make sure the rebuild is designed properly.

“Right now, ordinary Cook Islanders are finding it really tough. Many are earning less and having to spend more, just to put food on the table. I feel for those with big mortgages, and when I go shopping for food – anywhere – I find it hard to understand why everything is so much more expensive than in New Zealand.

“Look, I know some things have be more expensive, but right around the world, prices have gone up because of Covid… and the experts tell us prices will come down again when things return to normal.”

Pa believes this issue is bigger than just the private sector. “What we need, from Government, from the Opposition, and from any other party in this year’s general election, are firm plans, that all of us – public sector, private sector, rich and poor – can understand, to make sure that prices come back down here in the Cook Islands.”

“We’ve all tightened our belts to make ends meet over the past three years ... we need to make sure that when times get better, they get better for everyone.”

Pa recognises there are two sides to the story when it comes to pricing. “I know lots of business owners, and yes, they have been doing it hard. What we need is a rebuild that works for both our businesses and their consumers.”

“Maybe it’s time for that competition regulator I’ve heard about to start taking a long close look at prices; I see the Commerce Commission in New Zealand always on the job, looking at things like petrol prices, bank charges, supermarket markups – all affecting ordinary people in their pocket.

“We need the same here – and now is the time to put the planning in place – not in two or three years’ time.”

Pa Ariki has been travelling to New Zealand in “her continuing efforts to have an aged care facility established on Rarotonga”, the statement said.